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Nutrition education provides participants with the skills and resources to make better nutritional choices to combat obesity and chronic disease.

Scientific evidence suggests that diet plays an important role in the onset of chronic disease. In particular, diets high in saturated fats, calories, cholesterol and salt are associated with chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, osteoporosis and obesity. Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) the rate of obesity among children and adolescents has doubled over the past decade and is now considered an epidemic. There have been an increasing number of programs created in hopes to eliminate this rising statistic to create a healthier nation.

Nutrition education programs aim to delay, avoid or reduce the prevalence of these chronic and life threatening conditions. Nutrition education can take many forms from one-on-one sessions to large group classes. Taught by experienced and educated individuals, nutrition education classes help the public make nutritious food choices and provide a foundation of dietary information to shape healthy behaviors. At any age, nutrition education classes can provide benefits on a direct and indirect level.

Indirectly, completing nutrition education can positively enhance one’s life. Quality of life may increase by providing nutritious, appealing meals that will lead to better health, increased energy, stamina and less illness. Nutrition education may indirectly improve one’s self-image by improving feelings of wellbeing, improved appearance through weight control, increased motivation, knowledge and skills.

Whether you are trying to prevent chronic disease, lose weight or simply follow a healthier lifestyle, nutrition education can provide you with tools and strategies to succeed in meeting your goals.

Related Resources

Dawn Earnesty, and Sheilah Herbert | Facts about Gluten explains what gluten is and how it fits into a healthy diet. It also explains the facts behind some of the myths that have grown up around gluten and gluten-free diets, and notes some of the risks and drawbacks.